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Updated: Oct 15, 2025
07:39
Use of a Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Device/Left Atrium to Femoral Artery Bypass System for Cardiogenic Shock
Published on: August 16, 2021
3.8K
Initial experience with CytoSorb therapy in patients receiving left ventricular assist devices
Konstantin Zhigalov1,2, Jef Van den Eynde2,3, Alina Zubarevich1
1Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, West German Heart and Vascular Center Essen, University Hospital of Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
Artificial Organs
|October 25, 2021
Summary
Extracorporeal blood purification with CytoSorb did not improve survival for patients receiving a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). This therapy did not reduce complications, and some adverse events like respiratory failure increased.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Devices
- Immunology
Background:
- Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are crucial for advanced heart failure but carry risks of immune dysregulation and infection.
- Optimizing patient outcomes after LVAD implantation remains a significant clinical challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of extracorporeal blood purification using the CytoSorb device in mitigating complications and improving survival in LVAD patients.
- To assess the impact of CytoSorb therapy on immune markers and adverse events post-LVAD implantation.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 207 patients who underwent LVAD implantation.
- 72 patients received CytoSorb therapy, while 135 did not.
- Propensity score matching created a cohort of 112 patients (72 CytoSorb, 40 non-CytoSorb) for analysis of survival and adverse events.
Main Results:
- CytoSorb therapy did not significantly alter the increase in WBC, CRP, and IL-6 post-LVAD implantation.
- Overall survival and in-hospital mortality were similar between CytoSorb and non-CytoSorb groups.
- Patients treated with CytoSorb showed higher rates of respiratory failure, prolonged mechanical ventilation, and tracheostomy.
Conclusions:
- CytoSorb therapy does not appear to offer significant morbidity or mortality benefits for patients undergoing LVAD implantation.
- The use of CytoSorb in this context may be associated with an increased risk of specific respiratory complications.
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